Studies in American Literature: Miller’s The Crucible: Final Project/Paper
Worth: 100 Points, TEST Grade
Due:
___________________________ (NO LATE PROJECTS/PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED)
Choose from one of the following assignments to complete for your final project on The Crucible
Option #1
Write an essay that discusses one of the themes of The Crucible
Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and 2-3 pages long (2 pages for College Prep Advanced students, 3 pages
for Honors students).
Choose one of the themes below and write an essay in which you explain how the author delivers this theme. Use
examples from the text that specifically support this theme. All examples from the text must be properly formatted
(use quotation marks and page #s)
A. Fear and suspicion are infectious and can produce a state of general hysteria that results in the destruction
of public order and rationality.
B. Hypocrisy is clear throughout this work. Many people claim to be religiously devout to the Puritan faith,
yet are guilty of going against the church and its rules. How is this theme evident within the characters in
this novel, such as John Proctor, Reverend Parris, the girls, etc.? Be specific.
C. It is more noble to die with integrity than it is to compromise one’s principles in order to live. How do the
actions and words of some of the characters convey this message?
Option #2
Create a poster about The Crucible that displays the play’s connections to the actual Salem
Witch Trials and to McCarthyism
Your poster must include the following:
-A timeline of the events of the actual Salem Witch Trials
-A timeline/summary of the events of The Crucible (Timeline should include at least 15 separate items)
-Pictures and biographical information for at least two of the characters in the play that were actual historical
figures. Include a comparison between that person’s actual life and involvement in the trials and the way they were
presented in the play.
-Information about the 1950s McCarthy Era. Draw comparisons between this time in American history and The
Crucible.
-Provide an MLA formatted Bibliography that lists any sources you used (online and/or print, all online is fine for
this assignment)
Your poster should be:
-creative
-imformative
-neat
-colorful
-accurate
-interesting
Option #3
Rewrite and act out a key scene from The Crucible
You and one to four other people will work together to rewrite a scene in the play from the perspective of today.
You will create a script, design costumes, and perform your scene for the class. You will be responsible for the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
A typed script that updates one of the scenes from The Crucible and contains realistic and modern dialogue.
This script must follow the format of The Crucible as it is written in the textbook (that means you must
include information about the actions and the feelings of the characters we cannot see when reading- the
italicized words in your text)
A character list
Costumes for your characters and props for your setting
A performance in front of the class that lasts between 5-10 minutes
You will be able to work on this project in class on
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The final project/paper is due on
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